Boy, 16, accidentally shoots himself, dies in Lancaster County

A 16-year-old boy accidentally shot himself to death in southern Lancaster County early Wednesday morning, officials said.

"He died of a self-inflicted handgun wound to the head," county Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said after an external examination of the teen's body was completed. "Cause of the death was accidental."

He did not release the teen's name because notification of family members may not have been completed.

State police Trooper Brittany A. Brenner identified the boy in a press release as a 16-year-old who lived on Green Lane in Little Britain Township.

He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the 2:30 a.m. shooting at a home on Green Lane, Brenner reported.

State police Trooper Anthony Thomas said the boy was camping with other juveniles along Green Lane at the time of the shooting. Investigation of the incident continues.

The teen was pronounced dead at the home by Deputy Coroner Eric Bieber, Diamantoni said, adding that he does not expect that a full autopsy will be conducted.

Routine toxicology tests are being done.

"I don't think there will be anything from toxicology that will impact the cause of death," Diamantoni said.

It was the third shooting death in the southern end of the county in six days.

A burglar shot 62-year-old Douglas C. Herr to death at his home in Drumore Township late Friday night, police said.

The killer has not been apprehended, state police Lt.

Advertisement

Jeremy Richard said on Wednesday.

"Police are continuing to run down leads and there is nothing new to report," he said.

On Monday, John Edward Boos, 22, of Peach Bottom, shot himself to death in Fulton Township after running from police officers trying to arrest him, police said. He was wanted on several outstanding warrants.

"None of the three incidents are related in any form that we know of at this point," Thomas said Wednesday. "There is no information or evidence that we have that they are related."